H Drum of JMm 



L, M. W, 



PS 

3357 

W<s£>7 





LIBR ARY OF CONGRESS. 

Chap. TJopyrightMoL.. 



ShelL 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 








A DREAM OF HEAVEN 



AND 



OTHER POEMS 



BY 

L. M. W. 









NEW YORK 
189(5 



v^ T 



Copyright, 1896, by 
LOUISA MARY WOOKEY. 



A Dream of Heaven, 

AND OTHER POEMS. 



A DREAM OF HEAVEN. 

^HNE night I dreamed an angel came, 

And smiling called me by my name. 
" Arise," said lie, "if thou wouldst know 
Aught of Heaven's glories here below/' 
And rising from my bed, I found 
My feet ascending from the ground ; 
And as we rose toward the skies, 
I felt no fear within me rise. 
A sense of strange security 
And quiet strength stole over me ; 
It seemed as if no care or pain 
Could ever touch my soul again ; 
And as we neared the sun's bright rays 
A beauteous landscape met my gaze, 
The hills and vales with verdure clad. 
In all my life I never had 



Such scenes of beauty looked upon. 

Then, lo ! I found my guide had gone ; 

But presently returning placed 

Some flowers within my hand ; they graced 

The lovely dell through which we passed. 

I looked at them and held them fast ; 

" I've seen those flowers on earth," I cried. 

" They are part of heaven," said my guide, 

" Placed there to cheer the sons of men, 

Bringing them joy and hope again. 

Heaven sheds its tears upon the earth, 

And then the lovely flowers spring forth, 

Breaking their way with glad surprise, 

An answering echo to the skies. 

This is their native atmosphere, 

There's naught to mar their beauty here." 

And as I listened to his words 

The singing of celestial birds, 

Like some sweet, unknown language, fell 

Upon my ears. I ne'er could tell 

How rich the music which they made 

To echo through that lovely glade. 

We traveled on and on until 

We reached the summit of a hill 
4 



On which a city stood, so grand 

It shed a glory o'er the land 

For miles and miles around. My sight 

Was almost blinded by its light ; 

Its walls with precious stones ablaze, 

More brilliant than the sun's clear rays. 

" What are those palaces?" I cried. 

" Eternal mansions," said my guide, 

1 ' Prepared for those who turn aside 

From all earth's follies, lust, and pride." 

But how shall my weak pen portray 

The glory which around me lay? 

" Eye hath not seen, nor ear hath heard," 

Is written in the holy word, 

Nor mortal heart can e'er conceive 

The joys for those who still believe ; 

Though for a time the veil is drawn 

Before their eyes, the radiant morn 

Awaits their waking. Glorified and free, 

Mortal shall put on immortality. 

I watched the people as they passed 
Before me in that city vast ; 
And on each brow there seemed to shine 

Unearthly radiance divine. 

5 



One there I saw who while on earth 

Had naught but trouble from his birth, — 

A struggling- artist, in life's race, 

Trying to paint a perfect face. 

Again and again he tried, but failed 

To grasp his ideal ; his spirit quailed 

At the scoffs and jeers of the noisy crowd 

Till, crushed and heartbroken, at last he bowed 

His head in the agony of despair ; 

But the Lord looked down, and took him where 

He forgot all the insults, the scorn and disaster; 

He found his ideal in the face of the Master. 

I have heard music here on earth ; 

But, ah ! those sounds of heavenly birth 

Which filled the air around me seemed 

Like songs of joy from the redeemed, 

Such utter gladness, and the peace 

Which nothing but a soul's release 

From pain and sorrow could inspire, — 

Those notes, touched with seraphic fire. 

I saw a man amidst the throng 

Who, between every burst of song, 

Made rich the air with music rare, 

And naught beside it could compare. 
6 



Once before I had seen him a cottage within, 

With little on earth save his old violin. 

There were chords in his soul that would never 

respond 
To the touch of his instrument ; always beyond 
His reach was perfection, and vainly he strove 
To put power in its tone ; but when Divine Love 
Filled his heart, then his whole being thrilled 
With a purpose so new, and a fire that instilled 
Fresh vigor and strength, and he brought forth such 

sounds 
That made angels wonder; the limitless bounds 
Of that ocean of love had inspired him at last, 
And his struggles and failures and pain were all past. 

As I mused upon this happy fate 
A beauteous form passed through the gate, 
Wending her way toward the earth. 
The Master had called her at the birth 
Of her little child ; and sickness lay 
Her hand upon him ; and that day, 
She, swifter than an eagle's wing, 
Had sought permission from the king 
To watch beside his little cot, 

To see that sickness harmed him not, 

7 



Placing bright visions of life before him, 
And he smiled as he dreamed that his mother bent 
o'er him. 

Myriads of others, too, I saw 

Who, in obedience to the law 

Divine within them, had pursued 

The upward path, oft dark and rude. 

Failure and pain had been their lot, 

But through it all they ne'er forgot 

The Master suffered, too, and trod 

That upward path that leads to God. 

Sowing in tears, they struggled here, 

But found the full fruition there. 

And as the gates were open wide, 

As I stood there, I asked my guide 

If I might pass within the portal. 

He answered: " Not while thou art mortal. 

Go back to earth, take up its strife, 

Work out the pattern of your life, — 

The foundation pure white, the threads all of gold, 

It never will perish and never grow old, 

And others may see it glisten and gleam, 

'Twill help them with theirs." So ended my dream. 

8 



When I awoke the Christmas bells 
Were ringing in the joy that tells 
Of peace on earth, good will to men. 
I think I knew its meaning then, — 
A little pain, a little strife, 
And then the promised Crown of Life ! 

December 28, 1895. 



LINKS TO THE UNKNOWN. 

PAY what this is in our human nature, 
^ Longings unsatisfied, dreams unfulfilled, 
Cravings for something beyond the creature, 
While, strive as we may, they cannot be killed. 

Soon of the pleasures of earth we grow weary, 
Children with bubbles, — they break and are past. 

Then discontent comes, and life looks so dreary, 
O tell us of something beyond that will last ! 

Germs of divinity, crying for sunlight, 

Which none but the Author of life can impart, 

Striving to reach their Creator, but hindered 
By thick walls of doubt built up in the heart. 



Streamlets that struggle to reach the great ocean, 
But man builds his earth banks and keeps them 
apart, 
Forgetting, one day, they will break that weak 
barrier, 
And carry him forth without rudder or chart. 

Then, Soul, drop thine anchor while yet there's 
security, 
For what is thy life? 'Tis naught but a breath. 
Then live that life in honor and purity, 

'Twill carry thee safe through the quicksands of 
death. 

God's angels will bear thee above the blue ether, 
Beyond the bright stars, to that beautiful land, 

Where all thy cherished ideals are perfected, 
Sanctioned, and blessed by the Master's hand. 

Worlds of rare beauty will open before thee, 
Faith will be lost in the fullness of sight, 

Christ's gracious presence forever around thee, 
In the full blaze of eternal lieht. 



THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS. 

^rjpWAS a dreary land I was traveling through, 

And thorns about my path that grew 

So thick I scarce could tread my way ; 

The glaring sun threw scorching rays 

About my head, and all my days 

With toil and pain were weary, till at length 

Despairingly I cried: " Is there no road 

Out of this wilderness? No one to care 

For human souls tortured with doubt and fear? " 

When lo ! a shadow o'er my pathway fell, 

And looking up I saw a cross ; and when 

I met the look of Love Divine which shone 

Upon the face of him who hung thereon, 

I cried, " Lord, take me, all unworthy as I am! " 

And as I knelt low at his blessed feet 

The thorns all disappeared, and in their place 

Rare flowers were growing. Then I heard a voice 

' ' Keep near the cross, and do not fear 

Because the way looks long and drear. 

On from the cradle to the tomb, 

Sweet flowers within its shade will bloom." 

ii 



EASTER. 

BLESSED Easter, brightest day of all the Chris- 
tian year ! 
Earth, sing loud alleluias; let thy song rise high and 

clear, 
And echo through the skies; let shouts of joyful 

praise 
From every heart ascend, to greet this day of days. 

Ye mourners, dry your tears ! The King's own Son 

hath passed 
Through the dark vale of death, and robbed the 

grave at last 
Of all its terrors dire, and lighted up the way 
Through which we all may enter into the realms of 

day. 

Herald the glorious tidings until they shall resound 
From hill to hill and vale to vale the universe around ; 
For through that mighty Sacrifice his followers may 

sing : 
" O grave, where is thy victory ? O death, where is 

thy sting ? " 



LIFE'S RECOMPENSE. 

GORROW and joy come hand in hand, 
^ Twin sisters from the shadow land ; 
Sunlight and shade must surely be 
To make a perfect harmony, 
But it must have the Master's skill 
To make the picture beautiful. 

Black skies and blue make ocean's view 
The lovelier to our wondering eyes ; 
We ne'er would know the false and true 
Had sin not entered Paradise, 
And earth would lack its choicest flowers 
If bounteous heaven withheld its showers. 

Sometimes from o'er the distant hills 
A strain of heavenly music thrills 
My heart with rapture ; then again 
The touch of earth brings discord ; yet 
The memory of that chord divine 
vStill lingers in this soul of mine. 

For every sorrow there's a balm ; 
For every storm there comes a calm ; 



And could we pierce within the veil, 
Never a doubt would us assail 
That God, who orders all our way, 
Will lead us into perfect day. 



o 



TO THE BIBLE. 
BIBLE, grand old book! Thou art a castle 
strong, 
Into which shipwrecked mariners may enter; as 

along 
The shores of time they wrestle with the stormy 

waves of life, 
And find a pleasant refuge there, safe sheltered 
from the strife. 

And while the powers of earth and hell, with all their 

strength, combine 
To rend thy walls asunder, built by a hand divine, 
Firm and secure thou standest, calm amid every 

shock, 
Because thy sure foundation is on the Eternal Rock. 

Never had any book such enemies as thou, 
Malignity and hate sublime is printed on their brow; 

14 



But utterly their efforts fail. O living book supernal, 
The everlasting record thou of the great King eternal ! 

And long as time itself shall last, thy mighty walls 

shall stand, 
To shed abroad the beacon light along life's shifting 

sand, 
And guiding safely past the rocks, which all around 

us lie, 
Thou wilt bring us safe to harbor in worlds beyond 

the sky. 



[ 



A STRANGER AND A PILGRIM. 
AM a daily pensioner on the bounty of my King, 
And because he's always faithful his mercies I 



will sing. 



I never called to him in vain, for he has always heard, 
And sent me down assistance, according to his word. 

Sometimes my heart grows weary, but then I hear 

him say: 

"Courage, despairing one, strength equal to thy day 

Shall still be sent to thee. Rest on my promise sure 

That I will never leave thee! as to the end, endure. 

15 



11 Immortal life awaits thee, and pleasures all untold. 
Joys that defy description, better a thousandfold 
Than those which earth can offer. Keep bravely on 
thy way, 

And soon this transient darkness shall end in bright- 
est day." 

The voyage may be stormy, the journey long and 

rough . 
But soon mv Lord will say, " My child, it is enough : " 
So patiently I'm waiting until he bids me come. 
And takes me to the glory of mv eternal home. 



THE CYNIC. 
WATCHED him along the lone path he was tread- 
~ L ing, 

Absorbed in himself, and no sunlight was shedding 
Its warmth through his soul ; he had barred the door 

fast 
And shut in the darkness, which over him cast 
Xaught but gloom and despair, while outside the 
bright sun 

Kissed the world into beauty ; the clouds one by one 

16' 



Dispersed at its brightness, the whole earth was glad, 
And rejoiced in its radiance ; and ah ! it was sad 
That God's noblest creation was marred by distrust 
Of his own fellow-creatures ; that canker and rust 
Had grown over his heart, and hidden the gem 
Of divine love and pity God placed there for them, 
So much sorrow to soothe, so much pain to relieve, 
And always "more blessed to give than receive." 
Ah ! how can a soul be so wrapped in itself, 
With no aim but its own petty pleasures and pelf, 
That sees no good in others, lets its chances slip by 
Of reaping a golden harvest on high? 
Rare jewels shine bright in the darkest night, 
And sweet acts of mercy put misery to flight. 
Here in this world, with so much to distress you. 
What must it be then without a " God bless you? " 



I DREAMED OF HER. 

T DREAMED of her last night; my mother dear 

Came to my side, and on my listening ear 

Her gentle voice in words of blessing fell 

Upon the boy she used to love so well. 

I dreamed of her, I dreamed of her ! 
17 



The old sad look of pain had passed away, 
And on her face was perfect rest and peace ; 

I could not think that in the grave she lay, 
But only of her bright, pure soul's release. 
I dreamed of her, I dreamed of her ! 

I dreamed of her, and o'er my aching heart 

This sweet assurance steals, e'en though the night 

Of death divides us now, we are not far apart, 
'Tis but one step into the infinite. 

I dreamed of her, I dreamed of her ! 



SEASIDE THOUGHTS. 

AS I stood on the shore of the mighty ocean, 
Watching the billows as they rise, 
So wondrously kept in perpetual motion 
By the Great Ruler of earth and skies, 
I thought : Why, O why is man ever so blinded 

To deny there's a God, and ascribe it to chance, 
By the beauty and grandeur of nature surrounded? 
If his eyes were but open, 'twould need but a 

glance 

18 



To convince him the God who hath made earth and 
heaven 

Is also his Father, his Saviour, his King- ; 
He would render at once his oath of allegiance, 

And out of pure gladness of heart he would sing, 
And his song would resound through the arches of 
heaven 

Till angels and seraphs reechoed the strain, 
While joy from his heart would flow forth as a river, 

And God's love, like the ocean, would roll in aeain. 



RETROSPECT. 

ANOTHER year has passed and gone 
Into the future, carrying on 
The record of our toil and cares, 
Progress, backslidings, hopes and fears ; 
Duties omitted, duties done, 
Joys, sorrows, losses, gains, — each one 
With its own story to unfold, 
By the Recording Angel told. 
How oft we strove to do the right, 

Walking by faith and not by sight, 
19 



Still trusting in His power and care 
Who all our sins for us did bear, 
That Ave eternal life might gain, 
And be forever free from pain, 
Sheltered by his redeeming love 
Within the realms of light above. 
Then, bravely struggling lest we fall, 

Let us do battle with our foes, 
Strong in his strength ; for it is all 

Summed up in this — Our Father knows. 



ON A YOUNG FRIEND'S BIRTHDAY. 
^npIS seventeen summers since thine eyes 

First saw the light of earth, 
And now another year has dawned 
With Easter's joyous mirth. 

I know not what the coming year 

May have in store for thee ; 

It may be sorrow, may be joy, 

But it will surely be 
20 



Just as our Father wills; he sees 
The future, and he knows 

The trials that beset our path 
From life's dawn to its close. 

May Easter joys still follow thee 
'Mid all earth's care and strife, 

And on the resurrection morn 
Rise to eternal life ! 



THE ANGELS' SONG. 
TIT AIL, crystal morn ! A Prince is born 

! In lowly garb to-day. 
Bring richest offerings to his shrine, 

And own his gentle sway. 
While wondering shepherds stand amazed 

On Bethlehem's starlit plain, 
That glorious melody bursts forth 
From all the angel train. 

Earth marvels as the song divine 

Falls like a freshening dew : 
Glory to God ! Good will to men, 

And peace on earth to you 



Amid earth's discord, care, and strife, 
That song comes rich and clear, 

Bidding us live a nobler life 
Throughout the coming year. 

Hail, crystal morn ! A Prince is born 

In lowly garb to-day. 
Bring richest offerings to his shrine, 

And own his royal sway. 



LINES 



SUGGESTED ON HEARING OF AN EX-CONVICT AFRAID TO ENTER A 

CHURCH. 



I 



T was on a Sabbath morning, 

The sun shone bright and clear, 
Church bells were giving warning 

To Christians to draw near 
And offer up their worship 

To God, their heavenly King, 
To thank him for their sonship ; 

All nature seemed to sing. 

Out in the busy city 

The mighty streams of life 



Were rushing ever onward 

Turbid with noise and strife, 
Save here and there a brooklet 

Which turned its course aside, 
To rest upon the journey, 

And to consult the Guide, 

To seek for hidden treasures, 

And the narrow path to find. 
'Twas some such thoughts as these 

Were passing through my mind, 
When I saw a man draw near 

To the doors of the house of God ; 
His face was full of fear, 

So timidly he trod. 

One glance he took through the open door, 

Then started back awhile ; 
Said he, " This is no place for me, 

I am too poor and vile." 
Methought I saw the Saviour 

Watching him from above, 

To see if one of his followers 

Would take that soul in love ; 
23 



But, alas ! I saw no kindly arm 

Stretched out to draw him in ; 
And down he came from the doors again 

To darkness and to sin. 
And I said, " This, too, is a son of God, 

Whom Jesus died to save, 
Though wandered far from the Shepherd's fold. 

For such his life he gave. 



&■ 



Honor the noble heroes 

Who go forth into the slums 
To reclaim those wandering children ; 

For when the Master comes 
They shall hear his voice, ''Well done, 

Sit down within my throne ! 
They shall see those jewels sparkle 

In their Redeemer's crown. 

24. 



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